The Little Myths Library
Born from a Headache
The Story of Athena
Zeus had an idea. It was a very big idea. It would not fit.
The story
What happens in this one.
This warm and funny picture book introduces children to Athena, goddess of wisdom in Greek mythology — who arrives in the world as an idea inside somebody else's head, and knocks politely until she is let out!
In short, rhythmic sentences made for reading aloud, Orson Vale, creator of The Little Myths Library, tells the story of Zeus, a king with a thought so big it gives him a headache, of Poseidon and Apollo and Demeter, who all know exactly how to cure a headache and are all completely wrong, and of Hephaestus, the quietest god on the mountain, who does not suggest anything at all — he puts his ear against Zeus's head and listens.
Read a sample
The first five pages, as they are printed.
The opening of the story — 5 of the 26 story pages. Tap a page to start reading, then turn the pages with the arrows. The rest is in the book.
For the grown-up reading aloud
“About the Real Athena” is the last page.
Every book in the library closes with the original legend retold in plain words — so when the question comes after the last page, there is an answer on it. Nothing is watered down; what changes is the gentleness of the telling.
- Reading age
- 4–6
- Read-aloud time
- About five minutes
- Format
- 8.5 × 8.5 in paperback
- Also on
- Kindle, tap to enlarge
The rest of the library
More myths, told small.
Three Heads, One Good Dog
Don't Open the Jar!
Whatever You Do, Don't Look!
Hold On to the String!
The Girl Who Ate Six Seeds
The Boy Who Flew Too High
The Baby They Hid in a Cave
Not the Bad Guy
The King with the Three-Pointed Fork
Up, Pegasus, Up!
The King Who Turned His Toast to Gold
Hello-ello-ello
My Name Is Nobody
Never Trust a Giant Wooden Horse
The Man Who Stole Fire